Florida lawmakers push to ban social media for children under 16

MIAMI — Florida moved Thursday towards enacting what would be one of the strictest bans on children's use of social media in the United States after the state Senate passed a bill to keep those under 16 off such platforms.

The controversial bill seeks to protect children's mental health against the "addictive features" of such platforms, amid fears over online dangers including from sexual predators, cyber bullying and teen suicide.

The legislation, which was approved 23-14, will now go back to the state House.